Lot Essay
C.M.G. London Gazette 19.4.1901.
Brigadier-General George Daniel Chamier, C.M.G., was a distinguished British commander during the Boer War, first as Kekewich's Second-in-Command and Commander Royal Artillery during the Defence of Kimberley and then in the Western Transvaal. During the latter appointment he was conspicuous in his defence of Schweizer Reneke from 24.8.1900 to 22.9.1900.
Major Chamier was the most active military commander during the siege and led out troops from Kimberley during the early attacks against the Boers.
On 25.11.1899 Chamier commanded a large Column which was ordered by Kekewich to make a significant demonstration against the Boers south-west of Kimberley. This demonstration was intended to draw attention away from the expected arrival of Methuen's Relief Force and was a desultory series of attacks which resulted in roughly the same number of casualties on both sides.
Again, on 28.11.1899, Chamier was sent out of Kimberley with three Columns to try and divide the besieging Boer forces by attacking their main position. After Infantry assaults on a line of kopjes and ridges overlooking Kimberley had been successful, Chamier commenced artillery duels with the Boer guns. In a faster moving action than that of three days before, Chamier commanded his forces with distinction and almost seized the main Boer laager. The fighting lasted all day and was the severest action to be fought during the siege.
Kekewich kept up the pressure on the Boers with the small resources at his disposal: 'Since November 28th the enemy had added considerably to his defences at Kamfersdam Mine. In order to cause the enemy to disclose his disposition and numbers in that portion of his line of investment; also, if possible, to induce him to detach larger numbers to hold the same, I decided to make a demonstration towards the Kamfersdam Mine. On the 7th December Major (Local Lt. Col.) Chamier, Royal Garrison Artillery, made a personal reconnaissance of the ground over which it was necessary for the troops to operate.' A force of about 1000 was 'placed under the command of Lt. Col. Chamier, who was directed to effect the object of the demonstration as he might think best ... [after a morning's fighting] The operations conducted by Lt. Col. Chamier on this day resulted in two short artillery duels, and also caused the enemy to move three guns and 500 men into his defences at the Kamfersdam Mine for the day' (War Office records refer).
In May and June 1900 General Hunter pursued an aggressive campaign in the Western Transvaal. Advancing in force and securing towns as he went, his actions were successful in deterring the Boers from launching attacks on Mahon's Mafeking Relief Column and clearing the district. One of the towns he occupied was Schweizer Reneke and the small garrison he left behind was commanded by Major Chamier. In August 1900 a resurgent de Wet began to circle around Schweizer Reneke and by mid-September Lord Methuen and his force were diverted to relieve the pressure on Chamier. Likewise Settle was called up to relieve the town and entered it on 22.9.1900. The much besieged garrison was eventually withdrawn in January 1901. For his defence of Schweizer Reneke Chamier was Mentioned in Despatches by Lord Kitchener:
'Defensive arrangements appear to have been very sound and reflect much credit on Major Chamier. Major Chamier appears to have acquitted himself with determination, energy and resource' (London Gazette 7.5.1901 and War Office records refer).
'The sieges of Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking, avidly followed while they were in progress, widely celebrated when they were raised, have been given their place in history. Rarely mentioned, however, is the siege of Schweizer Reneke, a small town in the Western Transvaal which was invested on 19 August 1900 and was not relieved until 9 January 1901. No one remembers the name of George Chamier, the garrison's commander. The gallant defenders of Schweizer Reneke had the misfortune to be besieged at a time when the people at home were bored with sieges; they had had enough; besides, there were no newspaper correspondents there. And the British public, which exhausted itself cheering for the plucky B-P and the relief of Mafeking, raised not a single cheer for the relief of Schweizer Reneke' (Farwell refers).
Following the withdrawal of the garrison Chamier was given command of a Mobile Column with which he pursued de Wet across the Western Transvaal in January and February 1901. He later served on the Staff.
Commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1880, Chamier was placed on Retired Pay in 1911 and recalled for service in the Great War as Inspector of the Royal Garrison Artillery and Coast Defences in India.
Brigadier-General George Daniel Chamier, C.M.G., was a distinguished British commander during the Boer War, first as Kekewich's Second-in-Command and Commander Royal Artillery during the Defence of Kimberley and then in the Western Transvaal. During the latter appointment he was conspicuous in his defence of Schweizer Reneke from 24.8.1900 to 22.9.1900.
Major Chamier was the most active military commander during the siege and led out troops from Kimberley during the early attacks against the Boers.
On 25.11.1899 Chamier commanded a large Column which was ordered by Kekewich to make a significant demonstration against the Boers south-west of Kimberley. This demonstration was intended to draw attention away from the expected arrival of Methuen's Relief Force and was a desultory series of attacks which resulted in roughly the same number of casualties on both sides.
Again, on 28.11.1899, Chamier was sent out of Kimberley with three Columns to try and divide the besieging Boer forces by attacking their main position. After Infantry assaults on a line of kopjes and ridges overlooking Kimberley had been successful, Chamier commenced artillery duels with the Boer guns. In a faster moving action than that of three days before, Chamier commanded his forces with distinction and almost seized the main Boer laager. The fighting lasted all day and was the severest action to be fought during the siege.
Kekewich kept up the pressure on the Boers with the small resources at his disposal: 'Since November 28th the enemy had added considerably to his defences at Kamfersdam Mine. In order to cause the enemy to disclose his disposition and numbers in that portion of his line of investment; also, if possible, to induce him to detach larger numbers to hold the same, I decided to make a demonstration towards the Kamfersdam Mine. On the 7th December Major (Local Lt. Col.) Chamier, Royal Garrison Artillery, made a personal reconnaissance of the ground over which it was necessary for the troops to operate.' A force of about 1000 was 'placed under the command of Lt. Col. Chamier, who was directed to effect the object of the demonstration as he might think best ... [after a morning's fighting] The operations conducted by Lt. Col. Chamier on this day resulted in two short artillery duels, and also caused the enemy to move three guns and 500 men into his defences at the Kamfersdam Mine for the day' (War Office records refer).
In May and June 1900 General Hunter pursued an aggressive campaign in the Western Transvaal. Advancing in force and securing towns as he went, his actions were successful in deterring the Boers from launching attacks on Mahon's Mafeking Relief Column and clearing the district. One of the towns he occupied was Schweizer Reneke and the small garrison he left behind was commanded by Major Chamier. In August 1900 a resurgent de Wet began to circle around Schweizer Reneke and by mid-September Lord Methuen and his force were diverted to relieve the pressure on Chamier. Likewise Settle was called up to relieve the town and entered it on 22.9.1900. The much besieged garrison was eventually withdrawn in January 1901. For his defence of Schweizer Reneke Chamier was Mentioned in Despatches by Lord Kitchener:
'Defensive arrangements appear to have been very sound and reflect much credit on Major Chamier. Major Chamier appears to have acquitted himself with determination, energy and resource' (London Gazette 7.5.1901 and War Office records refer).
'The sieges of Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking, avidly followed while they were in progress, widely celebrated when they were raised, have been given their place in history. Rarely mentioned, however, is the siege of Schweizer Reneke, a small town in the Western Transvaal which was invested on 19 August 1900 and was not relieved until 9 January 1901. No one remembers the name of George Chamier, the garrison's commander. The gallant defenders of Schweizer Reneke had the misfortune to be besieged at a time when the people at home were bored with sieges; they had had enough; besides, there were no newspaper correspondents there. And the British public, which exhausted itself cheering for the plucky B-P and the relief of Mafeking, raised not a single cheer for the relief of Schweizer Reneke' (Farwell refers).
Following the withdrawal of the garrison Chamier was given command of a Mobile Column with which he pursued de Wet across the Western Transvaal in January and February 1901. He later served on the Staff.
Commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1880, Chamier was placed on Retired Pay in 1911 and recalled for service in the Great War as Inspector of the Royal Garrison Artillery and Coast Defences in India.